Chpt. # 3 Journal

Andrew Beck

Period 7 2/1/99

Mr. Luizzi

In chapter three, the death of Stalin leads to several changes for the Jews in Russia as well as Asher and his family. For the Jews in Russia it is a momentary reprieve in the endless fight for equality and survival. For the Lev's it means the possibility of moving to Vienna to allow Aryeh Lev to easily be able to travel throughout Europe. Throughout this chapter Asher complains constantly and whines about the many reasons why he can't move to Vienna.

It seems as though Asher Lev is an artist in two ways. One is in a reality in which, like drawing, he continually makes changes and adjustments to compensate for how a certain thing effects him. This is seen in his refusal to accompany his parents to Vienna if the Rebbe gives the go ahead. While Asher may not know it, he is given many signs in his mind about how his life is changing. A good example of his inability to comprehend his dreams is when he cannot recall if there was a violent snowstorm outside or if he just dreamed it. His dreams also include his great mythic grandfather described as a huge and mountainous. His recurring dream of his ancestor symbolizes how the past that he tries so hard to distance himself from and that is so cherished and valued by his family as well as the Rebbe is rehaunting him. Asher Lev cannot escape his deep past is what the dreams are trying to tell him. His Gift from the Other Side is leading away from his heritage and family. The second way Asher is the artist is in the literal sense of drawing. Throughout his drawings and art, Asher expresses himself rather than through words or writing. This is clearly evident since the beginning the novel yet also is shown in the very end of the third chapter when Asher sketches the picture of Stalin in his coffin seemingly without him realizing it. This shows the loathing that is taking place within Asher because Stalin's death makes the possibility of moving very real. His Gift has started to take over him and he cannot control it which will ultimately lead to a complete breakdown of his morals. This is further indicated in the statement on the back cover, "... whose extraordinary talent leads him away from his family and his faith into a painful maturity and a perilous success."

Throughout the chapter, Asher has used the power of his Gift to show his intense hatred towards Stalin. It seems that most of the resentment Asher has generated is towards the fact that he now has the possibility of moving to Vienna. Though Asher understands that Stalin is a terrible man, it seems as though he is confused about the entire subject of Jews in Russia. When he begins to think of Russia, Yudel Krinsky and his dead wife and kids his mind moves to an artistic state, pondering the many methods that he could use to capture the feeling of ice and cold. Yet, Asher will sometimes let his Gift go out of control.